First Team News

Mancini recharging batteries and looking to the future

Mancini watches warm up from the touchline

Roberto Mancini aims to leave no stone unturned as he puts the building blocks in place for his first full season in the Premier League.

The Italian’s eye for detail will be translated to the squad, the training ground and the pre-season preparations this summer.

And the Blues boss is determined that the exertions of the summer’s World Cup in South Africa will not sap City’s strength or potency ahead of the big kick-off on August 14.

With some 23 winners’ medals from his playing and managerial career to date, not to mention his Italian Footballer of the Year and Serie A Player of the Year double or his Manager of the Year award in 2007 while boss of Inter Milan, Mancini ought to know a thing or two about what ingredients go into producing a winning side from the season’s flag fall to curtain call.

Already he has agreed a busy schedule of pre-season games in the United States against Sporting Lisbon, New York Red Bulls, Club America and his former club Inter Milan.

Two more first team fixtures will follow the last of which will be a homecoming on August 7 at the City of Manchester Stadium.

All six games will be preceded by a ten-day training camp in the American West designed to give the Blues a head start.

“I think it is vital we have a good pre-season and I’m looking forward to it already. A lot of players will be at the World Cup and will maybe arrive back a little later, but we will have plenty of time together,” confirmed the boss.

Preparation is vitally important and our schedule is a good one that gives us time together as a squad and plenty of very competitive games

...Boss Roberto Mancini...

“I enjoyed the six months I had last season but it was really hectic and meant learning a lot very quickly for me. I am glad now of the chance to take a breath and prepare for next season when we want to improve on what we achieved this season.”

Mancini will not attend the World Cup but instead join the majority of fans on the planet and view the South African extravaganza on the not so small screen!

“I will watch the World Cup on TV with my sons and just relax and rest as much as I can. Football will never be far from my mind but it is a chance to recharge my batteries,” he confirmed.

“It will be an interesting summer but it would be nice if Italy made it to the final, but I think it will be difficult.”

Don’t miss an extended and exclusive interview with Roberto in next month’s issue of the official City Magazine that will be in the shops on June 1 and which includes a comprehensive World Cup preview from a Blues' perspective.